To start this off, I'm heartbroken that I'm even sitting here writing this. When I saw you last weekend, I had no idea it would be the last time. I know you've been sick for a while but the idea of you gone doesn't make sense to me. I don't know who I'm supposed to run to anymore when I get home or get up to feed at 5 a.m. on weekends.

I never thought I would be the one to grow so attached or in love with a pet. Until you came along, that is. You got sick a week after we brought you home and I remember how much I cried when we had to give you back to your foster home to take care of you. Those tears don't compare to these, however. I wish you could come back in a week, feeling all better.

Thank you for being my perfect little fur-baby. From the constant purrs, to the tiny meows, you were hands down the cutest cat I had ever seen in my life (still true). In our almost eight years together, you never hissed at me. I took that as a sign that you liked me. You let me dress you in countless Halloween costumes, carry you out into the snow, and make you sit outside with me in the 90 degree weather. You probably hated it all but you were still purring. Thanks for being a trooper. I can't remember a time doing homework at the kitchen table without you there, either waiting to be pet or food. Who am I supposed to cuddle with now while I binge watch Netflix?

Thank you for doing the weirdest stuff to make my family and I laugh. From your sassy meows when we weren't getting you fresh water quick enough, how you would carry your favorite toy around in your mouth like it was your baby, to hiding in the weirdest spots and getting yourself locked in a closet. You were definitely a weird cat, but I wouldn't have traded you for anything.

Thank you for understanding when I had to leave for college. I hated leaving you because I knew you weren't doing too well, so I tried to come home a lot to see you. I'm so happy we got to cuddle last weekend and eat lots of treats. I almost didn't come home last weekend, but I'm really glad I did.

Thank you for being my sick buddy. You always knew when something was wrong or when I wasn't feeling well. I wish I had you to cry onto or to use as a pillow right about now. You weren't much of a lap cat, but when I was sick I could always count on you to be right there.

Thank you for being so strong when you got sick. It must have been scary to go blind and have to learn to navigate around the house, but you did it like a champ. I'm sorry I laughed when you ran into walls, though. I hope you were never in pain, because that's not what I wanted for you at all. There were many instances when I thought it was the end, but I wanted you to go when it was your time. I couldn't make that decision for you. Although you had your challenges, you never whined or stopped doing what you loved. I'm sorry you got to a point where you couldn't watch the leaves fall, or the squirrels in the yard, but you never stopped purring or laying in sunbeams. I hope wherever you are now, your eyes are back to their beautiful shade of blue and that there is constantly leaves falling for you to watch.

With all of this said, it still doesn't seem real that you're gone. I can guarantee you I'm going to walk in the house many times and yell out your name before I remember. I'll still see piles of clothes laying on my floor and expect you to be curled up in them. I'll still hope to hear your meows when it's time for dinner. I'll still tell everyone about my beloved cat and how she was basically my BFF. But most of all, I'll never forget how much joy you brought to our home.

Thank you for choosing us to be your forever home. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.